Seminars in musculoskeletal radiology
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Brucellosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution caused by small gram-negative nonencapsulated coccobacilli of the genus Brucella. It is characterized by a granulomatous reaction in the reticuloendothelial system. Because it affects several organs and tissues, it may have various clinical manifestations. ⋯ CT and bone scintigraphy have limited value because of their inadequate soft tissue resolution. MR imaging is the method of choice to assess the extent of disease and follow up the treatment response. However, MR imaging has a low specificity to predict the exact cause of an osteoarticular lesion, and in case of arthralgia or symptoms of osteomyelitis or spondylodiscitis, the index of suspicion should be high in regions where the disease is endemic.
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Hydatid disease is an infectious disease caused by the larval stage of the parasitic tapeworm Echinococcosis granulosus. Its distribution is worldwide. Although hydatid disease can develop in almost any part of the body, it is most commonly found in the liver and lung. ⋯ Computed tomography (CT) is more accurate in delineating the area of destruction. The primary role of CT and magnetic resonance imaging is in the recognition of extraosseous spread of the hydatid disease within the soft tissues. This article reviews the pathological basis and the clinical and imaging features of musculoskeletal hydatid disease.